Equestrian success for Highlands vaulters

The talent of the Southern Highlands Vaulting Team was recognised at the Equestrian NSW Awards recently.

Four members of the team were commended for their efforts in the last year.

The Vaulting Volunteer for the Year award went to Maria Napthali for her passion and generous spirit including her sharp administration skills.

Napthali brings these skills in her role as event secretary to numerous vaulting competitions including the Mount Hunter and the Sydney CVI, and the Australian National Championships.

Isabella Napthali was awarded the Young Female Vaulting Athlete of the year for her outstanding results in competitions in 2017.

This included a gold medal win at a CVI in Krumke, Germany on her German mount, Worldwide 6, lunged by Dina Menke.

Isabella Napthali has her goals set high for the coming years, with the ambition to represent Australia at the Junior World Vaulting Championships in Ermelo in 2019.

She has a great work ethic and constant endeavour to improve her skills.

This will see Bella continue to perform well in the vaulting arena. Jamie Haste, who picked up the Young Male Vaulting Athlete of the Year award, has also had a very successful vaulting year.

This has included winning a bronze medal at the CVI in Krumke, Germany.

This was Jamie’s international debut on a stunning German Warmblood, Floresco, lunged by Dina Menke.

Ella Fin, who has had many successes in the show pony ring, still finds time to also hone her vaulting skills.

Fin is a very determined young lady who gives her best in all she does.

Fin won the Primary Vaulting Champion at the 2017 ENSW Interschools on Edrom Park Morgan, lunged by Amanda Lee.

The Vaulting Awards were proudly awarded by Dr Gillian Burns, chair of Vaulting NSW and also a vaulting mum. While celebrating the Highlanders’ wins, the Southern Highlands Vaulting Team congratulate Frensham and Gib Gate Schools on winning the primary and secondary Champion schools at the Interschools competition.

This year marked five years in a row for Frensham students. To see these vaulters in action, they will be performing in the Schmidt Arena on Good Friday.

They will also perform in the main arena at the Royal Easter Show each evening in The Greatest Easter Show Spectacular.

follow the Southern Highlands Vaulting Team
- By the Southern Highlands Vaulting Team
- Fairfax Media